Please note:These articles are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please, always contact your naturopath/doctor before embarking on any dietary/supplement/exercise health program changes.

The use of Yoga to help manage chronic pain

Chronic pain has become an epidemic condition in the modern world. Some reports estimate that as many as 1 in 5 adults experience some form of chronic, ongoing pain. This percentage is even higher in developed countries like America, where nearly half of all adults report feeling disruptive pain on a daily basis. The use of muscle relaxers and painkillers has serious side effects, including addiction and organ damage. Millions of adults have sought out alternative treatments with fewer risks to help them cope with the challenges of chronic pain. Yoga is one common solution that has been working to reducing pain for hundreds of years.The Causes of Chronic PainThere are dozens of distinct causes behind pain that won`t go away. Unfortunately, many of these causes are psychological and hard to treat with muscle relaxers or surgery. Other forms of trauma and damage can`t be improved with any invasive medical procedures. In these cases, yoga practices have proven surprisingly efficient. Researchers have found a link between a regular practice and lower pain. However, they still aren`t sure exactly how the two are linked. There are many theories as to how yoga benefits people suffering from daily pain.Stress ReliefWhen adults struggle with headaches or joint pain that won`t fade, they often experience depression and frustration that only further compounds the problem. Many types of irritation and inflammation become much worse when the patient experiences stress, which is caused by the pain itself. This vicious cycle makes it very important to find an appropriate outlet for stress relief. The focus on inner peace and calming techniques of hatha yoga helps to reduce pain exacerbated by frustration at the situation. Exercise of all forms has also been shown to work stress hormones out of the body.MindfulnessEven the most active forms of yoga include some kind of mindfulness practice. Meditation and focus help to reduce the emotional components of chronic pain. Detaching from the constant ache helps each patient to live with the challenges they are facing. Yoga is something that patients can do on their own once they learn the techniques, providing them with control over their disability. A few months of classes are sufficient for most people to learn the positions and techniques they need for pain reduction.Steady BreathingThe third component of every yoga practice is smooth and even breathing. Yoga teachers focus on teaching their students to stretch their diaphragm and breathe out slowly. This relieves muscle tension throughout the body and helps to reduce pain levels. Deep breathing can be used in nearly any situation.Staying ActiveIn many conditions that cause chronic pain, regular movement and activity help to restore circulation to the affected area and reduce the overall pain. However, the idea of exercising and stretching an extremely painful body part can be frightening for patients. The gentle and slow movements of yoga are a good introduction to exercise when experiencing pain. Moving through the postures helps with joint problems like arthritis and ensures inflammation in the back and legs doesn't increase through a lack of movement. The increased blood flow may also help to circulate pain medications distributed by a licensed chemist.